In making the announcement of the big deal, Rangers general manager Glen Sather also revealed that captain Jaromir Jagr probably wouldn't be back in New York. After waiting for serious negotiations to begin with Jagr's side, Sather grew impatient and went in another direction and landed Naslund.

"It's not an easy thing," the veteran winger said. "I've been in Vancouver for a long time, I've been a captain there for the past eight years. I have a lot of fond memories of playing there. It's definitely a big step but it's a step I'm excited to take."

Also, Rob Blake wrapped up his second stint with the Los Angeles Kings, turned in his 'C' and moved up the Pacific Coast to San Jose — agreeing to a one-year-deal worth $5 million.

"San Jose is something I've always admired," said the 38-year-old Blake, who is a seven-time All-Star. "(The Sharks) have a ton of potential, and they're always right there every year. The excitement is in moving up the road a little and playing for a championship again."

Naslund, a five-time All-Star, will turn 35 later this month and cited the Rangers' Stanley Cup title chances as the main reason he topped his list of potential destinations once free agency bidding began Tuesday.

The Rangers have reached the playoffs each of the last three seasons — the past two with Jagr as captain — but haven't gotten past the second round.

"I believe the Rangers are going in the right direction and I'd like to be part of that," Naslund said via telephone from Sweden. "I hope to be part of a Stanley Cup champion there for sure.

"Since July 1, my eyes have been set on the Rangers. It ended up taking a little bit longer but I'm very pleased that I'm a Ranger now."

An aging roster that struggled to score goals against the high-flying Pittsburgh Penguins raised red flags to Sather, who has set out to change New York's style of play.

Those plans are moving ahead without Jagr.

"If you can't get by the first round it's time to make some changes," Sather said. "We felt that watching Pittsburgh and Detroit and some of these other teams that were being a little more offensive, a little more explosive, that we had to make some changes.